While sitting in the front position of the center
lane at a red light, I allowed my gaze to drift to a billboard off to the left.
There were some branches blocking a portion of the sign. I was attempting to
figure out the words that were hidden, when the vehicle next to me began
moving. Realizing that my attention had drifted from the road and the traffic
light, I took my foot off the brake. Returning my attention to the intersection
I was grateful that I had not also put my foot on the gas. The moving vehicle I
had seen in my peripheral vision had been in the left turn lane.
The light had changed to a green left turn signal.
The traffic across the street had gotten the same green arrow. Had I moved
forward too far, I would’ve been directly in the path of the pickup that was
now turning left. I replaced my foot on the brake to wait for my turn to
proceed down the road. I watched as a line of vehicles, both beside me and from
across the street, made their left turns. These vehicles all have the
right-of-way because of the arrow on the traffic light.
While waiting on God’s plan to be revealed to us, we
can become distracted by the daily activities of life. We can become completely
engrossed in what we see happening around us. This can cause us to become
distracted from God’s path for us. We must keep our eyes on the road ahead.
This is accomplished by studying God’s word and following the commands to pray
continually. “ Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]” (1
Thessalonians 5: 17 AMP)
When we become distracted we have not actually left
God’s will, but we can easily get off track. When I watched the vehicle to my
left (even out of the corner of my eye) it caused me to move improperly. The
path that driver was following went in a different direction than mine. The
proper time to move was also different. We must always listen to the
instructions of the Holy Spirit. “And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the
way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the
left.” (Isaiah 30:21 AMP) We must stay on the track that we
are called to follow.
When I looked back to my lane, I saw the vehicle from
across the street beginning to make an appropriate left turn. As I put my foot
back on the brake pedal I realized that I could have caused the collision
between his vehicle and mine. This would’ve been completely my fault because he
had the right-of-way. Bringing my attention back to the traffic signal, I
clearly saw the red light beside the green turn arrow.
When moving outside of God’s timing we may not simply
hurt ourselves, but we can also cause our brothers or sisters to be hurt. This
can often occur when we intervene during someone’s trial without first hearing
from God. Even if we are attempting to help we can actually hinder God’s plan
to deliver that person. We may interfere with the unseen work God is doing in
his or her life.
Because I had quickly brought my attention back to the
traffic signals and vehicles around me, I had been able to catch myself and
correct my behavior before causing damage. I had not moved far enough into the
intersection to be in the way of the vehicles that were turning left. I waited
until the light turned green and cautiously proceeded on the rest of my trip.
When we begin to stray a little bit off track, we can
quickly return our attention and get back into sync with God’s plan. It is best
to keep our attention focused on Him. Yet His grace will catch us when we
stray. Staying too far can lead to serious damage both in our lives and those
around us. Our continual prayer should be, “ And see if there is any
wicked or hurtful way
in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:24 AMP)
As
you go out today keep your attention focused on God’s plan. If you begin to
stray a little off the path listen to His promptings and return quickly.
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